Catalans live TV coverage to stop, signings for Limoux and ex-Hull KR half joins St Gaudens

The latest news from France, in partnership with TreizeMondial.fr.

Catalans live coverage pulled

beIN Sport will stop their live coverage of Catalans from next season after being asked by Super League chief Robert Elstone for more money. It costs around €20,000 to produce a game in Perpignan, and viewing figures in France aren’t making it worthwhile. With Sky using the beIN feed to show the games, it could mean a significant reduction in coverage next season unless a replacement broadcaster is found.

Lasvenes joins the London Skolars

New Villeneuve signing, Thomas Lasvenes, will finish the current season in England. The French fullback has committed until the end of the League One campaign with London Skolars.

Two more recruits in Albi

Albi have signed French Cup winning half-back Luc Franco from Carcassonne, and he will be joined by Nicolas Bertolas, who is currently playing in League One for West Wales Raiders.

Sophien Bitigri stays in Baho

French Elite 2 championship and Georges Ailleres Cup winners Baho have fought off competition to retain Sophien Bitigri for next season. Several Elite 1 clubs enquired, but coach Didier Meynard has convinced him to stay with Baho for another year.

Thibault Franck go to St Gaudens

Former Hull KR and Sheffield half-back Thibault Franck is to join St Gaudens, alongside fellow new recruits Yoan Reynaud (Toulouse) and Sylvain Masuaute (Pia). Franck, a former France academy international, played for Palau last season.

Third Australian joins Limoux

Limoux have signed Shaun Nona, the Queensland Cup’s best player in 2014. He becomes the third Australian to join the Grizzlies, following Zach Santo and Ed Murphy. Versatile Fabien Flovie has also joined Limoux, from Palau.

President leaves Toulon

The president of Elite 2 championship club Toulon, Laurent Gavarri, has left the club. He helped to re-establish the club, which aims to return to the highest level in France in the coming years. A replacement has yet to be announced.